Cell Biology

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New Technique Converts Skin Cells into Motor Neurons

Converting one type of cell to another - for example, a skin cell to a neuron - can be done through a process that requires the skin cell to be induced into a "pluripotent" stem cell, then differentiated into a neuron.

14 Mar 2025

Extrachromosomal DNA Discovered as a Hidden Factor in Pancreatic Cancer Survival

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with a five-year survival rate of 13%.

14 Mar 2025

Bispecific antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 variant neutralization

Bispecific antibodies targeting multiple SARS-CoV-2 sites offer enhanced neutralization against emerging variants, advancing COVID-19 treatment strategies.

14 Mar 2025

SRS Microscopy Unlocks New Insights into Cellular Metabolism and Disease

Cellular metabolism plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. High resolution imaging of intracellular metabolic activities is crucial for understanding many biological pathways, and for facilitating disease prognosis and treatment assessment.

14 Mar 2025

Modeling Genetic Disruptions in Heart Development

In the process of heart development, cells move around and interact with one another to establish their positions, with significant implications: pairing with an incorrect cell can determine whether the heart functions properly or not.

13 Mar 2025

Researchers Create 'Colocatome' to Study Tumor Cell Interactions

Even cells experience peer pressure. Scientists have long studied the ins and outs of cancer cells to learn more about the disease, but they're increasingly finding that noncancerous cells near the cancer cells exert a powerful influence over a tumor's trajectory.

13 Mar 2025

Study Finds Key Mechanism Behind Plasma Cell Migration for Lasting Immunity

Vaccine effectiveness relies on creating a strong antibody response that can be reactivated to fight future infections.

13 Mar 2025

Scientists Develop Off-the-Shelf Vascular Grafts Using Stem Cells

Zhang, J., et al. (2025) Small-diameter artery grafts engineered from pluripotent stem cells maintain 100% patency in an allogeneic rhesus macaque model. Cell Reports Medicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102002.

12 Mar 2025

Combination of Viral Antibodies and Genetic Risk Factors Linked to Increased MS Risk

In multiple sclerosis (MS), antibodies to the common Epstein-Barr virus can accidentally attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord. New research shows that the combination of certain viral antibodies and genetic risk factors can be linked to a greatly increased risk of MS.

12 Mar 2025

Microbiome-Based Approach Shows Promise for Treating Ulcerative Colitis

The human gut is home to trillions of bacteria that play vital roles in digestion, immunity, and overall health.

12 Mar 2025

Investigating Ubiquitination's Role in Cancer Stem Cell Regulation

This review highlights the critical role of ubiquitination in governing the functionality of cancer stem cells (CSCs), shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for combating tumor progression, recurrence, and drug resistance.

10 Mar 2025

Novel Expansion Microscopy Technique for Detailed Plant Biomolecule Mapping

The approach to studying plant cells is evolving quite literally due to new research led by Kevin Cox, an Assistant Professor of Biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and an Assistant Member of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

10 Mar 2025

Neurons in the Human Brain Can Store Concepts Regardless of Context

A study led by Dr. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga, group leader of the Neural Mechanisms of Perception and Memory Research Group at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, has allowed scientists to observe for the first time how neurons in the human brain store memories independent of context in which they are acquired.

8 Mar 2025

New Brain-Mapping Technique Pinpoints Cell Types Linked to Alzheimer's Progression

Researchers from The University of Texas at Arlington and the University of California–San Francisco have employed a novel brain-mapping technique to pinpoint memory-related brain cells that are susceptible to protein accumulation, a significant contributor to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible and progressive neurological disorder that gradually impairs memory and cognitive abilities.

7 Mar 2025

New Method Creates Stable Fatty Acid Solutions for Biological Research

FAs are important in cellular processes such as membrane structure, energy storage, and signaling. However, challenges remain in preparing stable FA solutions due to their amphipathic nature and low solubility in water.

6 Mar 2025

Tumor Cell Adhesion Could Help Predict Breast Cancer Spread

By assessing how "sticky" tumor cells are, researchers at the University of California San Diego have found a potential way to predict whether a patient's early-stage breast cancer is likely to spread.

6 Mar 2025

Cryo-ET Reveals Retrotransposon Replication Inside Cells

An arms race is occurring within human cells: Transposons, also known as jumping genes or mobile genetic elements, can replicate and reintegrate themselves into the genome, posing a threat to genomic integrity by inducing DNA rearrangements and mutations.

6 Mar 2025